Major Controversies Surrounding Louis DeJoy: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Louis DeJoy.

Louis DeJoy is an American businessman who served as the 75th U.S. Postmaster General from May 2020 to March 2025. Prior to this role, he founded New Breed Logistics and was a major Republican Party donor and fundraiser for Donald Trump. His appointment was notable as he was the first Postmaster General since 1992 without prior USPS experience. He was also the first to come directly from a competitor to the USPS. Controversy arose due to potential conflicts of interest stemming from his companies holding active service contracts with the USPS during his tenure.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1992: Noncompetitive contracts for New Breed Logistics

Starting in 1992, a 2001 audit by the USPS inspector general found that the USPS had given New Breed Logistics noncompetitive contracts of more than $300 million.

2000: Straw Donor Scheme at New Breed

Between 2000 and 2014, 124 employees at New Breed gave a combined total over $1 million. Many of these people had not donated before they worked at the company and have not done so since leaving, according to reports in September 2020.

2001: USPS audit of New Breed Logistics

In 2001, a USPS inspector general audit found that USPS had awarded New Breed Logistics noncompetitive contracts exceeding $300 million since 1992, costing taxpayers an estimated $53 million. The audit questioned the awarding of these contracts and potential risks to USPS performance.

2003: Inspector General Kelly Corcoran retires

In 2003, USPS inspector general Kelly Corcoran retired after a federal investigation into abuse of authority and waste of public money.

2014: Straw Donor Scheme at New Breed

2016: Ignorance of Election Facts

During congressional testimony in August 2020, Louis DeJoy admitted that he was unaware of how many Americans voted by mail in the 2016 elections.

May 6, 2020: Appointment as Postmaster General Announced

On May 6, 2020, the bipartisan USPS Board of Governors announced Louis DeJoy's appointment as postmaster general and CEO, despite concerns about conflicts of interest. He was the first postmaster general in two decades without prior experience in the United States Postal Service.

June 2020: Criticism for cost-reduction policies

In June 2020, Louis DeJoy faced criticism for enacting cost-reduction policies after assuming office, including eliminating overtime and banning late or additional trips to deliver mail. These changes, along with the decommissioning of mail-sorting machines and removal of mail collection boxes, led to mail delivery delays and raised concerns about interference with mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

August 2020: Scrutiny over investments in companies related to the USPS

As of August 2020, Louis DeJoy and his wife had $30–70 million invested in companies related to the USPS, including XPO and Amazon, leading to scrutiny.

August 2020: Suspension of Mailbox Removal and Equipment Decommissioning

In August 2020, Louis DeJoy announced that the Postal Service would halt the removal of mailboxes and decommissioning of mail-sorting equipment until after the November election, amid controversy over the removal of mail collection boxes and concerns about mailed ballots reaching election offices on time.

September 2020: Allegations of Straw Donor Scheme

In September 2020, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported allegations that Louis DeJoy participated in a straw donor scheme at his logistics company, New Breed, where employees were allegedly reimbursed for making political donations to Republican candidates.

September 2020: Court blocks USPS from sending misleading vote-by-mail information in Colorado

In September 2020, a court blocked the USPS from sending Colorado households a mailer with false and misleading information about vote-by-mail. The USPS also agreed to show previews of any future election mailers to Colorado's secretary of state and attorney general. Additionally, American Oversight sued USPS in federal court in September 2020 to compel the release of directives, guidance, analyses, and key emails from Louis DeJoy related to voting by mail.

2020: Investigation of Straw Donor Allegations

In 2020, The House Committee on Oversight and Reform opened an investigation into allegations that DeJoy participated in a straw donor scheme and the possibility that DeJoy lied to the committee, and called for the Postal Service to suspend him. By the end of 2020, the Wake County, North Carolina district attorney's office had decided that it would not pursue a criminal investigation of New Breed's alleged campaign finance law violations.

February 2021: Biden nominates people to USPS board amid criticism of DeJoy

In February 2021, amid criticism about the USPS under DeJoy, Biden nominated three people to fill four vacancies on the USPS board of governors. That same month, DeJoy stated that he did not intend to leave the position.

February 24, 2021: DeJoy awards contract to Oshkosh

On February 24, 2021, DeJoy received criticism for his decision to award a $6.5 billion contract to modernize the USPS fleet exclusively to Oshkosh, which had previously admitted a lack of expertise in producing electric vehicles. Congressman Tim Ryan referred to the SEC a $54 million purchase of Oshkosh stock made hours before the contract was announced.

June 2021: FBI Investigates DeJoy

In June 2021, CNN reported that the FBI was investigating the matter of the straw donor allegations. That investigation was eventually closed, with no charges being filed as of 2023.

December 2021: FEC Dismisses Complaints

In December 2021, the Federal Election Commission voted 4-1 to dismiss two criminal complaints against DeJoy related to the straw donor allegations.

February 2022: Democrats criticize DeJoy's order for gasoline-powered replacement vehicles

In February 2022, Democrats criticized DeJoy's order for $11.3 billion of mostly gasoline-powered replacement vehicles, with Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly saying DeJoy had "flouted" President Biden's executive order on clean procurement. The EPA also criticized the USPS for the order, citing environmental costs and low fuel efficiency. DeJoy cited an ongoing Postal Service environmental review as well as the agency's grave financial condition.

April 2022: States sue USPS over vehicle electrification plan

In April 2022, 16 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 environmental groups sued the agency over the environmental impact of its slow vehicle electrification plan and demanded a 75% electric order.

2022: Gasoline-powered delivery vehicle purchase

In 2022, DeJoy attracted criticism and lawsuits from environmentalists and Democratic politicians when he decided to purchase 90% gasoline-powered delivery vehicles, citing the agency's financial situation as a justification.

2023: FBI Investigation Closed Without Charges

As of 2023, the FBI investigation into the straw donor allegations was closed, with no charges being filed.

2023: Criticism of DeJoy's plans and effects on mail delivery

In 2023 alone, Georgia saw a 50% drop in the on-time delivery rate of first-class mail, although it has re-increased by 40%.

2024: DeJoy criticized for larger regional hubs implementation.

In 2024, DeJoy was criticized for the implementation of larger regional hubs, which he said would slow mail delivery for rural customers but increase its speed for those who lived close to regional hubs.